Reed Named Interim Director of UNO Center for Urban Sustainability

OMAHA – A new interim director has been named for the Center for Urban Sustainability at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

Christine Reed, a professor of public administration at UNO, will take over director duties from Steve Rodie, a professor from UNO’s Department of Biology, who has been the center’s director since it was founded in 2014.

The goal of the Center for Urban Sustainability is to work across all colleges on the UNO campus to find ways that engaged research can provide tangible benefits to the city of Omaha and its citizens.

A member of the UNO faculty since 1982, Reed brings her experience as a faculty fellow for the University of Nebraska Daugherty Water for Food Institute and research on topics such as environmental ethics and natural resources management; she has also taught courses on environmental policy and management and urban sustainability.

Prior to being named director, Reed was on the Center for Urban Sustainability’s leadership committee. The role will be in addition to her teaching responsibilities.

“My goal for the next two years as interim director of the Center is to build on the accomplishments of Steve Rodie,” Reed said. “One of the ways I hope to do that is by facilitating engaged research by interested faculty on sustainability-related challenges identified by public, nonprofit and private leaders in the metropolitan area. On a more reflective note, I believe that UNO is uniquely positioned to support efforts by leaders in our community that contribute to energy conservation, green building design and infrastructure, recycling and other sustainability-related priorities identified by those leaders."

Among the research and community engagement topics explored by the Center for Urban Sustainability include measurement of energy usage by commercial buildings, determining air quality in highly-trafficked pedestrian areas in Omaha, the use of real-time monitoring approaches to conserve energy in buildings, and the development of green infrastructure projects and research in partnership with the Omaha Public Schools and the City of Omaha.

“Steve Rodie’s efforts as director of the Center have been a key part of the momentum behind UNOs broader sustainability effort and I am grateful for Steve’s leadership and look forward to his continued affiliation with the Center,” said Scott Snyder, UNO’s chief research officer. “Chris Reed’s expertise in the public management of natural resources, including Nebraska’s vital water resources, brings additional visibility to the Center. In her role as interim director Chris will work with the campus to set the vision for the Center for Urban Sustainability going forward.”

Sustainability is one of UNO’s five academic priority areas. In addition to the Center for Urban Sustainability, UNO is home to the Office of Sustainability and several academic programs including undergraduate minors in sustainability and environmental studies; undergraduate degree specializations in environmental science, environmental science and sustainability; a master of science degree in urban studies; and master of business administration specialization in sustainability.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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